What Does an Alternator Do?

Have you ever wondered, “What does an alternator do?” The alternator is one of your car’s most important components, sending power to the electrical systems when your car is running. You can think of the alternator as a sort of generator that is provided energy by the gas engine. Understanding how your car’s alternator works can help you feel more confident when you need service and maintenance. In the guide below, the Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Duluth service team shares some insight into how the alternator works, how to know if your alternator is going bad, and more.

How Do I Know if My Alternator is Going Bad?

If your alternator is on its last leg, you’ll probably experience some tell-tale signs while making your way through Lawrenceville. Symptoms of a bad alternator can include:

• Headlights and interior lights losing brightness
• Distinct whining or screeching sound after you start your car
• Your car fails to start at all
• Devices are not charging when you plug them into your car’s power sources
• You smell something like burning rubber coming from under the hood
• The battery warning light is lit up on your dash

Is it a Bad Alternator or a Bad Battery?

It’s very common to mistake a failing alternator for a failing battery. The easiest way to distinguish between the two is to simply wait until your vehicle requires a jump to start. Proceed with the usual steps to jump-start the engine. Once you remove the cables, if the car dies again immediately, you’ll know that the underlying issue is more than likely the alternator. At this point, your best course of action is to have your vehicle inspected by a professional technician.

What is the Average Lifespan of an Alternator?

You should be able to put in about 80,000 – 150,000 miles on Suwanee roads with the same alternator, or about seven years. With that said, there are some key factors that can result in your alternator dying earlier than expected:

• The overall quality of the alternator
• The driving conditions you encounter in Johns Creek
• Power depletion due to faulty wiring

How Much is an Alternator Replacement?

So, how much is an alternator likely to cost you? The price you pay could be totally different than what another driver pays because different makes and models require different alternators. At Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Duluth, our parts department can help you track down the right alternator for your vehicle. Contact us for a quote today!

Schedule Alternator Service in Duluth

If you’re still wondering “what does an alternator do?” or you would like to have your alternator inspected, schedule a service appointment with Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Duluth. Our certified technicians can get to the root of the problem quickly and make a trusted recommendation to get you back on the road safely.